Following the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the conflict entered its third day on Monday. Explosions were reported in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha as Iranian forces targeted foreign military bases.
Iranian officials in South Africa described the ongoing air campaign as an illegal attack on their sovereign territory.
The Iranian embassy in South Africa broke its silence on Monday regarding the escalation of Operation Epic Fury. Dr Hamidreza Oraee, a political counsellor at the embassy, stated that Iran is responding to deadly bombardments. He confirmed that the Iranian government is still awaiting final casualty figures as the strikes continue.
Oraee denied that Iran was attacking the sovereignty of neighbouring Gulf states. He insisted that the strikes specifically targeted military assets belonging to the United States and Israel.
The conflict has caused significant disruption to global aviation and energy markets. Over 1,200 flights were cancelled on Monday as major international hubs in the Middle East remained closed. Oil prices have surged towards $80 a barrel following a drone strike on a Saudi Arabian refinery. Investors remain concerned about potential supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz.
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Heavy casualties reported
Internal reports from the Iranian Red Crescent Society indicate that 555 people have been killed across 131 cities. This death toll follows intensive strikes by American and Israeli forces on Iranian infrastructure. In one instance, a bombardment at an Iranian school allegedly killed approximately 200 children.
The United States has confirmed that three of its service members died during the recent military operations. President Donald Trump warned that combat operations could continue for another four weeks to achieve specific objectives. Iranian security officials have rejected any possibility of negotiations with Washington while the attacks persist.
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